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Vernon Hills reviews $11M–$32M police campus options; board favors comprehensive upgrades
Summary
FGM Architects presented three concepts to modernize the Vernon Hills police campus, with budgets ranging from roughly $11 million (concept A) to $32 million (concept C). Trustees expressed a preference for the more comprehensive options (B/C) and asked staff to study financing and timing.
Village and police leaders presented a multi‑phase campus planning study by FGM Architects that identifies operational deficiencies across the village’s 740 and 754 buildings and proposes three conceptual solutions.
Police leadership told the board the current campus, built in stages since 1992, lacks a secure, private public interface, adequate training and evidence facilities, and indoor fleet parking. The chief said the campus arrangement “is not the kind of environment that you would design, for a police campus in 2025.”
FGM’s Phase 1 space analysis identified roughly 46,500 square feet of essential and optimal space (about 12–13,000 SF more than current inventory) with priorities for evidence processing, training, indoor parking and wellness space. Concept A focuses on a public interface/entry addition and visitor parking (estimated budget roughly $11.3M–$12M). Concept B connects the two buildings, expands evidence processing and adds an indoor parking garage for about 24 vehicles. Concept C includes a full tactical firing range, expanded indoor fleet parking (estimated 28 spaces) and other operational improvements; presenters estimated Concept C in the $29M–$32M range.
Trustees asked about contingencies, escalation and precedent projects (Mount Prospect and others). Presentation materials included staged budgets assuming a 2027 construction start; presenters said accelerating the schedule could reduce inflationary escalation by about $800,000 in their estimate. Multiple trustees characterized Concept A as a short‑term “band aid” and leaned toward Concept B or Concept C; some trustees said the additional cost to move from B to C could be worthwhile to avoid future retrofits.
The board directed staff to work with the police chief and finance director to develop financing options and return with a recommendation. No budget appropriation or contract was approved at this meeting.
